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Once-in-a-generation striker Erling Haaland earns a crack at his first major tournament next summer, after leading Norway to the World Cup.

And the 25-year-old Manchester City striker did it in remarkable fashion, registering 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches - finding the back of the net consistently in all those encounters.

This establishes him as the highest scorer in 2026 World Cup qualifying in all continents.

Moreover, his national team's 4-1 win in Italy on Sunday, with Haaland netting two goals, ensures they will competing in next summer's World Cup in the American continent.

The striker commented post-game: "I'm happy, but mostly relieved. There's a lot of pressure and things, and I sense it. But it's fun."

This represents just their fourth World Cup, and their premier global event since the 2000 European Championship.

The Crucial Role Did Haaland Play?

The striker's scoring statistics for Norway is absolutely remarkable.

He has scored 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

Additionally he is just the sixth footballer ever, and the first in 53 years, to register 50 finishes in fewer than 50 caps.

The team's earlier top scorer was Juve with 33 strikes, who kept that distinction for 90 years.

Throughout these preliminary games he registered 16 finishes - in eight matches - plus two assists.

That is double the goals tally anyone else has registered in European qualifying.

He is the leading goalscorer in these qualifying matches in all continents, including areas where teams play double the matches.

More than twelve months has gone by since Haaland most recently didn't net in a game for Norway.

Team Effort Complementing Haaland

However, it's not just a one-man show.

Team leader Martin Odegaard, 26, has additional assists than any other player in European qualifying - seven setups.

The Arsenal midfielder has made 67 appearances for Norway since his initial cap at the tender age of fifteen.

"Combine Haaland's success with the reality that in this generation we furthermore feature Martin Odegaard," said a Norwegian journalist.

Our nation represents of five million citizens and we feature both the top forward and I would argue the top creator, absolutely including the premier midfielders, in the English top flight.

Historical Importance of World Cup Spot

For the premier occasion in a generation Norway supporters will enjoy the excitement of backing their national side in worldwide event.

The Scandinavian country competed in the World Cups in 1998, 1994 and 1938, and Euro 2000.

Erling's dad, Alf Inge, played at the 1994 tournament.

The striker has mentioned before being better than his dad represented a significant personal target for him.

"Norway will never win the World Cup," the striker mentioned to an international magazine earlier this year.

Dodging Historical Omission

Haaland's participation in next summer's World Cup with Norway ensures he escapes his name going on the roster of legendary footballers who didn't participate in the tournament.

Three golden ball recipients didn't succeed to participate in the global tournament.

The African icon, who secured titles with multiple European clubs, featured for Liberia - who haven't qualified for a World Cup.

Legendary Red Devils attacker the footballing genius, regarded by numerous as one of football's greatest players, was a Ulster footballer during the 1960s and 70s when they failed to qualify.

Madrid superstar the footballing pioneer represented three nations - Colombia, Spain and Argentina - but couldn't reach a World Cup with any of them.